DER Interconnection Engineer (Entry, Staff, Senior, or Principal)

Xcel Energy•St Paul, MN

20h•Hybrid

About The Position

Xcel Energy is seeking a dedicated and skilled engineer to join our DER Integration team. This team is responsible for evaluating requests to connect distributed generation to the distribution system. Our primary focus is on assessing the impact on reliability and safety and determining the best methods for safe and reliable interconnection. The team collaborates closely with various internal engineering stakeholders, including area engineers, planning, integrated system planning, substation engineering, and the protection team. In this role, you will be one of four engineers based in Minnesota (preferably), supporting the NSP interconnection process. You will have specific geographic and milestone responsibilities, contributing your expertise to ensure the success of the interconnection projects. The position summary outlines the responsibilities of a staff engineer, but the successfully chosen candidate will be placed at a level (Entry, Staff, Senior, or Principal) that is commensurate with their skills and experience. Applies extensive technical expertise and has an understanding of the basic principles of other related disciplines. Fully demonstrates the unique technical skills and core competencies for this engineering level by applying technical standards, principles, theories, concepts, and techniques to lead projects of moderate to large size, scope and complexity. Largely self-directed work is expected to result in the development of new or improved techniques, procedures and standards. Supports the development of technical documentation (including but not limited to designs, testing, calculations, reports, standards, etc.) Without appreciable direction exercises considerable latitude in determining ongoing technical support for project activities within areas such as Operations, Maintenance, Testing/diagnostics and Regulatory. Provides field engineering oversight and direction for activities such as support, testing, installation, inspections, commissioning etc. Coordinates/leads multiple projects or portions of projects (including phases such as research, design, equipment selection, procurement, installation and commissioning). May lead more critical projects with oversight of a higher-level engineer or supervisor. Represents the organization as the prime technical contact in the bid/evaluation processes including preparation of bid documents, completion of technical evaluations for proposals and providing recommendations for selection. Interacts with senior external personnel on significant technical matters often requiring coordination with internal and external organizations. Effectively and with precision resolves difficult technical/business matters both inter-organizationally and with outside customer/vendors with all formats of communication. May assign tasks to and/or direct engineers, technicians, craft personnel and other support staff including coordination and review of work assignments. Provides guidance and mentoring to less experienced engineers. Responsible for continuous self-development of technical skills and competencies. Leads activities such as budgeting, estimating, forecasting, accounting, work order management, in support of engineering projects.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET accredited curriculum (electrical engineering degree preferred, or mechanical engineering degree with relevant engineering experience).
Entry Engineer: 0+ years relevant engineering experience.
Staff Engineer: 2+ years relevant engineering experience. Demonstrated broad knowledge & proficiency in specialty area, knowledge of related specialties, & general knowledge of other related disciplines.
Senior Engineer: 5+ years relevant engineering experience with EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) required; 7+ years relevant engineering experience without EIT/FE.
Principal Engineer: 9+ years relevant engineering experience with PE (Professional Engineer) registration required; 15+ years relevant engineering experience without PE.
Ability to demonstrate the unique technical skills and core competencies for the respective engineering level established & documented by the organization.

Nice To Haves

EIT/FE (Engineer in Training/Fundamentals of Engineering) preferred for Entry and Staff Engineer levels.
PE (Professional Engineer) registration may be required for Senior Engineer depending on business need.

Responsibilities

Evaluating requests to connect distributed generation to the distribution system.
Assessing the impact on reliability and safety and determining the best methods for safe and reliable interconnection.
Collaborating with various internal engineering stakeholders, including area engineers, planning, integrated system planning, substation engineering, and the protection team.
Supporting the NSP interconnection process with specific geographic and milestone responsibilities.
Applying technical standards, principles, theories, concepts, and techniques to lead projects of moderate to large size, scope and complexity.
Developing new or improved techniques, procedures, and standards.
Supporting the development of technical documentation (designs, testing, calculations, reports, standards, etc.).
Providing ongoing technical support for project activities in areas such as Operations, Maintenance, Testing/diagnostics, and Regulatory.
Providing field engineering oversight and direction for activities such as support, testing, installation, inspections, and commissioning.
Coordinating/leading multiple projects or portions of projects, including research, design, equipment selection, procurement, installation, and commissioning.
Leading more critical projects with oversight of a higher-level engineer or supervisor.
Representing the organization as the prime technical contact in bid/evaluation processes, including preparation of bid documents, technical evaluations, and recommendations for selection.
Interacting with senior external personnel on significant technical matters.
Resolving difficult technical/business matters both inter-organizationally and with outside customers/vendors.
Assigning tasks to and/or directing engineers, technicians, craft personnel, and other support staff, including coordination and review of work assignments.
Providing guidance and mentoring to less experienced engineers.
Leading activities such as budgeting, estimating, forecasting, accounting, and work order management in support of engineering projects.